News Release

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Woman Doused with Flammable Liquid, Set Ablaze

***UPDATE***

Combined law enforcement efforts paid off late today when a police dragnet captured the two individuals suspected of inflicting critical burns on an exotic dancer on February 5, 2009 around 1:30 A.M. outside the "Babes N' Beer" sports bar, located at 18454 Oxnard Blvd.

Arrested for the attempted murder of Roberta Dos Santo Busby, a dancer and mother of two small children are 22-year old Nathaniel Pertrillo and 27-year old Rianne Theriault-Odom. Both Petrillo and Theriault were arrested at 5 P.M. at a motel on Lankershim Blvd in North Hollywood by members of the United States Marshal's Fugitive Task Force, which includes LAPD personnel.

The two suspects had been the focus of intense police efforts to take them into custody since the day of the crime. Detectives assigned to LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division (RHD) had been given primary responsibility for this investigation. The Robbery-Homicide detectives were joined in their efforts by personnel assigned to Operations-Valley Bureau (OVB), Gang-Narcotics Division (GND) and the United States Marshal's Fugitive Task Force. Investigators say tips from cooperative witnesses helped lead police to Petrillo and Odom-Theriault.

Following their arrest, Petrillo and Odom-Theriault were transported to Parker Center for processing and booking. The case will be submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for the filing of criminal charges against both arrestees.

The 27-year old victim remains in critical condition at the Grossman Burn Center in Sherman Oaks. She had been inside the bar counting tips about one half hour prior to closing. The suspects called her outside, where she was doused with an unknown accelerant and set aflame.

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding a man and a woman who doused a female dancer with a flammable liquid and set her ablaze early this morning at a sports bar in Tarzana.

The suspects, identified as 22-year-old Nathaniel Petrillo and 27-year-old Rianne Therialut-Odom are being sought for attempted murder.

The incident occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. when the unidentified victim was nearing the end of her shift at the Babes Sports bar located at 18454 Oxnard Boulevard. According to investigators, the victim was summoned outside of the bar to meet with two acquaintances. Once outside, her attackers poured a combustible liquid on her and set her ablaze. The victim ran back inside the bar where other patrons came to her aid.

The unidentified woman was taken to a local hospital where she is listed in grave condition. She suffered severe burns over 60 percent of her body.

The suspects took off in a metallic gold in color newer model four door sedan, police said.

The motive for the attempted murder remains unclear.

Anyone with information is asked to call Robbery Homicide detectives at 213-485-2531. After hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to a 24-hour, toll-free number at 1-877-LAPD-24-7 or by texting CRIMES (274637) and beginning the message with the letters LAPD. Tipsters may also submit information on the LAPD website www.lapdonline.org. All tips are anonymous.